我们都会不时遇到具有不常见扩展名的文件。当然，我们很多人都知道.docx文件、.pdf文件、.mp3文件或.iso文件。但是，您听说过.eps文件扩展名吗？.dng怎么样？如果您必须打开此类文件，您会怎么做？在本文中，我们将向您展示如何处理具有未知文件类型的文件，并了解您应该安装哪些应用程序或程序来查看其内容。让我们开始吧：
第一阶段：遇见未知文件
由于我们无法涵盖如何打开计算机世界中发明的每个文件扩展名(file extension)，因此我们将分享一个使用不寻常文件的实际示例，以及我们为了解如何打开它和查看其内容所做的工作。假设有人通过电子邮件向您发送了一个带有.eps文件扩展名的文件。
第一个直觉是双击文件。Windows不知道如何使用自己的预装程序打开这种文件类型。(file type)因此，Windows会询问您“您想如何打开这种类型的文件？” ("How do you want to open this type of file?").
使用 PC 时最重要的规则是：不要惊慌(do not panic)。总有一个解决方案，如果您尝试以下方法之一，您应该能够打开该文件。您现在正在进入第二阶段。
第二阶段(Phase)- 研究未知文件类型(file type)
您可以使用多种方法来查找如何打开未知文件。无论是在Microsoft Store中寻找应用程序，在您最喜欢的搜索引擎(search engine)上搜索，还是在各种网站上浏览，您此时所做的一切都称为研究(research)。通常需要几分钟：
方法 1(Method 1)。在Microsoft Store(Microsoft Store)中搜索可以打开未知文件的应用
当Windows询问您要如何打开此文件时，您可以单击或点击“在应用商店中查找应用程序”。("Look for an app in the Store.")Microsoft Store打开显示所有可以打开此文件的应用程序。通常，我们不推荐这种方法，因为Microsoft Store中的大多数非桌面应用程序无法打开那么多文件，您的结果可能会令人失望。不过，值得庆幸的是，Microsoft Store还包含少量桌面应用程序，可用于打开更复杂的文件。不过，使用此方法找到合适应用程序的可能性很小。
方法二(Method 2)。搜索FILExt 数据库(FILExt database)以了解如何打开未知文件
在线搜索始终是了解新文件类型(file type)的最佳方法，最好的地方是Fileext 数据库(Filext database)。这是一个令人印象深刻的数据库，其中包含超过 50,000 个已知文件扩展名。
要查找未知文件类型(file type)，您可以浏览字母列表或使用搜索。找到您感兴趣的文件扩展名后，(file extension)单击或点击(click or tap)它以查看其所有详细信息。您应该至少找到一些可以打开该类型文件的程序，以及有关其用途和历史(purpose and history)的详细信息。
方法3(Method 3)。搜索互联网以了解如何打开未知文件
如果您还没有找到打开未知文件类型的方法，您还应该尝试在(file type)Google 或 Bing(Google or Bing)等搜索引擎(search engine)上查找有关它的信息。通过使用搜索引擎(search engine)，您应该能够看到您的未知文件是什么类型的文件，在什么情况下使用它，以及哪些软件可以打开该未知文件类型(file type)。
找到打开未知文件所需的应用程序后该怎么办？
让我们继续我们的示例：根据Google的说法，.eps 文件格式是(file format)Adobe Illustrator中使用的图形文件格式(file format)。这意味着我们应该安装Adobe Illustrator并打开文件。问题是这个应用程序是商业的，我们没有它的许可证。那么，下一个问题是：“打开这个未知文件需要付费购买软件吗？” ("Do I have to pay for software to open this unknown file?").
答案是：不一定，但在某些情况下，您可能必须这样做。您始终可以寻找免费的开源替代品来打开文件，但您可能无法获得付费版本中的所有功能。
要找到可以打开文件的适当应用程序，您应该查看搜索结果并找出一些应用程序名称。例如，如果您访问Wikipedia 并输入(Wikipedia and type)扩展名，您可能会在此处找到所需的信息。这是一张图片，显示了哪些程序可以打开.eps文件格式。
在我们的研究过程中(research journey)，我们决定使用开源图像编辑程序GIMP打开(GIMP).eps文件。你知道什么？有效！🙂
注意：(NOTE:)如果您有正确的软件(right software)来打开未知文件，但您不断收到错误并且仍然无法打开它怎么办？不要惊慌：某些应用程序需要(apps require) 编解码器(codecs)才能打开特定文件。如果您偶然发现这种情况，请尝试在互联网上搜索您遇到的具体错误。如果您找不到任何相关内容，则您尝试打开的文件可能已损坏，或者编解码器未正确安装。
奖励方法：问！
如果搜索对您没有帮助，或者您只是找不到可以打开您的神奇未知文件的东西，请尝试询问发送它的人。您可能只需要安装一个小型查看器或像我们上面所做的那样做一些更复杂的工作。如果你很幸运，而且你的朋友是一个精通技术的人，他/她也许可以帮助你。
始终保持谨慎
下载未知文件类型时，您必须小心，以免您的计算机或设备(computer or device)上出现恶意软件。这不仅适用于您下载的文件，还适用于您安装以查看这些文件的查看器和编解码器。彻底研究(Research)，如果您仍然不确定，请向更有资格的人寻求建议。本文将提供帮助：如何避免从网络下载免费应用程序和游戏(apps and games)的风险和危险。
最后但同样重要的是，请注意您使用的是合法获得的软件来打开未知文件。如果您需要的是免费或开源软件，则无需担心，但如果您需要更复杂的东西，请购买它，不要使用盗版应用程序。这是保护自己免受恶意软件威胁的最佳方式，您还可以奖励那些为您需要的应用程序而努力工作的人。
您是否经常需要打开未知文件类型？
如果您遇到未知文件类型(file type)，只需几分钟研究即可了解如何打开它。有一些基本的方法可以找出它是什么类型、什么程序可以打开它以及它的用途。在确保它是安全的并且您可以安全地获得适当的软件之后，您可以继续应用一些在线找到的解决方案。如果您有任何疑问，请随时在下面的评论部分中提问。
3 ways to open files with unknown file extensions, in Windows
We all encountered files with unсommon extensions, from time to time. Of cоurѕe many of us know about .docx files, .pdf files, .mp3 files or .iso files. However, have you heard about the .eps file extension? How about .dng? What do you do if you have to open such files? In this article, we are going to show you how to deal with files with unknown file types and learn which apps or programs you should install to view their content. Let's get started:
First Phase: Meeting the unknown file
As we cannot cover how to open every file extension that was invented in the world of computers, we are going to share a practical example using an unusual file and what we did to understand how to open it and view its content. Let's say that someone emails you a file with the .eps file extension.
The first instinct is to double-click on the file. Windows has no idea how to open this file type, using its own preinstalled programs. As a consequence, Windows asks you "How do you want to open this type of file?".
The most important rule when using a PC is: do not panic. There is always a solution and, if you try one of the following methods, you should be able to open the file. You are now entering the second phase.
Second Phase - Research the unknown file type
You can use multiple methods to find how to open the unknown file. Whether it's looking for an app in the Microsoft Store, searching on your favorite search engine, or browsing on various websites, everything you do at this point is called research. It usually takes a matter of minutes:
Method 1. Search the Microsoft Store for an app that can open the unknown file
When Windows asks how you want to open this file, you can click or tap "Look for an app in the Store." The Microsoft Store opens showing all the apps that can open this file. Generally, we do not recommend this method, because the Microsoft Store holds mostly non-desktop apps which cannot open that many files and your results might be disappointing. Thankfully, however, the Microsoft Store also includes a small number of desktop applications, which can be used to open more complex files. Still, there is a small chance that you might find the appropriate app by using this method.
Method 2. Search the FILExt database to find out how to open the unknown file
Searching online is always the best method to learn about a new file type, and the best place to do it is the Filext database. It is an impressive database which contains over 50,000 known file extensions.
To find the unknown file type, you can either go through the alphabetical lists or use the search. Once you find the file extension that you are interested in, click or tap on it, to see all its details. You should find at least a few programs that can open that type of file, as well as details about its purpose and history.
Method 3. Search the internet to find out how to open the unknown file
If you still have not managed to find out how to open the unknown file type, you should also try to look for information about it on a search engine such as Google or Bing. By using a search engine, you should be able to see what type of file your unknown file is, in which situations it is used, and what software can open that unknown file type.
What to do once you find out what app you need to open the unknown file?
Let's continue with our example: based on what Google says, the .eps file format is a graphics file format that is used in Adobe Illustrator. That means that we should install Adobe Illustrator and open the file. The problem is that this app is commercial and we do not own a license for it. So, the next question is: "Do I have to pay for software to open this unknown file?".
The answer is: not necessarily, but in some cases, you may have to. You can always look for free, open-source alternatives to open files, but you might not get all the features found in their paid counterparts.
To find the appropriate app that can open your file, you should look through the search results and spot some app names. For example, if you go to Wikipedia and type in the name of the extension, you might find the information you need right there. Here is an image showing what programs can open the .eps file format.
In our research journey, we decided to open the .eps file with GIMP, an open-source image editing program. What do you know? It worked! 🙂
NOTE: What if you have the right software for opening your unknown file, but you keep getting errors and you still cannot open it? Do not panic: some apps require codecs to be able to open specific files. If you stumble upon such a situation, try searching the internet for the specific errors that you are getting. If you cannot find anything relevant, the file you are trying to open may be corrupt, or the codecs were not installed correctly.
Bonus Method: Ask!
If searching does not help you, or you just cannot find something that can open your magic unknown file, try asking the person who sent it. You might only need to install one small viewer or do a bit more complicated work as we did above. If you are lucky and your friend is a tech-savvy type, he/she might be able to help you.
Always be cautious
When downloading unknown file types, you must be careful so that you do not get malware on your computer or device. This applies not only to the files you download but also to the viewers and codecs you install to view those files. Research thoroughly, and if you are still not sure, ask a more qualified person for advice. This article is going to help: How to avoid the risks and dangers of downloading free apps and games from the web.
Last but not least, take care that you are using legally obtained software to open the unknown files. If what you need is free or open-source software, there is nothing to worry about, but if you need something more complex, purchase it, do not use pirated apps. It is the best way to protect yourself from malware threats, and you also reward the people who worked hard for that application that you need.
Do you often need to open unknown file types?
If you encounter an unknown file type, it takes only a few minutes of research to discover how to open it. There are some basic methods of finding out what type it is, what programs can open it and what it is used for. After making sure that it is safe and that you can acquire the appropriate software safely, you can go ahead and apply some of the solutions found online. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask in the comments section below.
